Appeals to scrap tunnel to Gozo project by tourism association

Aug 23 2022

The Gozo Tourism Association is appealing for the government to scrap the project proposing a tunnel between the islands of Malta and Gozo and ‘safeguard Gozo’s character.’

In its list of proposals for this year’s budget, the GTA pointed to the continuously emerging proposal for a tunnel between the sister islands.

The proposal estimated that the domestic gross product of Gozo comes from the tourism sector, which was immensely impacted during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A long-term plan is therefore necessary, it stated, whilst also praising the improvements done in terms of transport between the islands. The fast ferry system needs strengthening, the air hangar in Xewkija needs immediate launching and a new vessel to replace the Nikolaus needs to be built, said the statement.

The opposition to the tunnel between the islands goes against the approval given by the Gozitan Chamber of Commerce. The latter stated in its own budget proposals that more priority needs to be given to the permanent connection between Malta and Gozo.

In terms of environmental proposals, the GTA said that Gozo needs to be deemed a Design Priority Zone, with the rural planning authority’s politics being updated to reflect the size of Gozo. This needs to be done in consultation with the local councils, the Gozo Regional Development Authority and all stakeholders involved.

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Singapore to finally lift ban on gay sex – a law lifted in Malta back in 1973

Aug 23 2022

Singapore’s Prime Minister has announced that the law criminalising sex between men will officially be repealed.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said that the gay sex ban will be scrapped from the penal code to bring the law into line with current social attitudes. This will ‘provide some relief to gay Singaporeans’ he said.

The Prime Minister still said however that the Singaporean government does not want ‘wholesale changes in society’, possibly hinting at no changes to legal definitions of marriage in the near future.

Meanwhile, bringing it back to the local context, Malta has been deemed as one of the most progressive nations when it comes to gay rights in Europe.

In fact, the ban on gay sex was lifted back in 1973, which is when Prime Minister at the time Dom Mintoff and the Labour Party legislated for the removal of the British-introduced sodomy law.

Malta continued this track record by becoming the first European country to criminalise conversion therapy back in 2016. At the time, the island was ranked first in terms of respect of human rights and equality by ILGA-Europe (International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association).

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Birkirkara women’s team receives heroic welcome after historical win

Aug 23 2022

Birkirkara’s women’s football team received a heroic welcome at the Malta International Airport after they managed a historic win this weekend.

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The team made history in the UEFA Women’s Champions League, beating nine-time Northern Ireland champions Glentoran.

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The team found the net two times, with Raina Giusti and Charlene Zammit scoring to securing a lead over Glentoran. This is the first official win for Malta in the competition.

The victory also placed Jose Borg coached team in third place after they had unfortunately suffered a 4-0 defeat against Bosnia Herzegovina.

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€1 million investment to modernise and improve Malta’s schools

Aug 23 2022

Throughout the summer months of 2022, the Ministry for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation underwent, and is still undergoing, comprehensive maintenance and modernisation work for all the schools around the Maltese islands.

This work, which is separate from that currently ongoing in the education infrastructure and enlargement of new schools, is another investment into Malta’s students which amounts to €1 million.

Minister for Education Clifton Grima visited some of the schools wherein this work is taking place. He pointed out how throughout the entire year, there is a dedicated team of workers making sure that the educational infrastructure continues to improve.

The work consists of everything from painting to restructuring tiles to making class rooms and offices better. New sanitary facilities are also being included in this extensive work.

The work intensifies during the summer months as teachers and students get to enjoy their holidays. However, the work takes place all year long, working around the timetables of various schools.

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